Swim With Turtles Tour this is an ocean adventure you’ll never forget, out in the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve (Jungarra Ngarrian), where you get the chance to snorkel with wild sea turtles in one of the most incredible marine protected areas in NSW.
Price options
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Adults from 149,00 A$
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Children from 129,00 A$
Departure Time
- 150 min
- Departs: 7.00, Chinderah, NSW
- Cook Island Aquatic Reserve
Introduction
Come and join us on a Swim With Turtles adventure where we take you on a really immersive ocean escapade through the waters of the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve just a short 600 metres offshore from Fingal Head in NSW. You might have heard of it as Turtle Island before, and that’s because the place is home to a real healthy population of turtles, green, loggerhead and even the odd Hawksbill. This is a protected reserve because it really matters as a food source for all these wild turtles.
We kick off this experience with a really enjoyable cruise along the Tweed River, then head out into open ocean before dropping anchor right at the island. And that’s when the magic happens, you get to snorkel in those crystal clear waters and get up close to all the incredible marine life, sea turtles, rays, loads of subtropical reef fish, all doing their thing. Plus, with groups kept nice and small, you get expert guides who really know the waters, and our focus is on taking care of this amazing ecosystem.
With all this put together, this really is one of the most real and the most eco-friendly turtle experiences you can have in Australia.
Details
- Adults: $149 each. It’s a bit of a splurge, but you’ll get the full experience
- Kids (6 to 12 years): $129 each, we love having the kids on board
- 2 Adults + 2 Kids: $539, a family affair!
- 2 Adults + 1 Kid: $410, same as above, just one less young one
- Private Charter (max 12 people): $1600, go ahead and charter the boat for your group
- Private tours: give us a call to book something that suits your needs
Location : Chinderah, NSW, that’s down on the coast in New South Wales. Duration: 2 hours and a bit (but don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on time). Departure times: we’ve got three to choose from, 7 am | 10 am | 1 pm, but keep in mind these can actually change depending on the tides and the wind.
Highlights
- Get your snorkel gear out and head to the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve (aka Jungarra Ngarrian), it’s a snorkeler’s dream
- Our 100% guarantee is real, if you don’t see some turtles from the boat, we’ll take you back for another go
- Only 12 people are allowed in the water at one time, we like to keep things nice and quiet
- Get a personal snorkel guide who’ll show you all the hidden gems of the marine reserve
- Take a scenic cruise along the Tweed River, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, eagles, rays and all sorts of seasonal wildlife
- We’ve got premium snorkel gear and wetsuits to keep you warm and toasty
- Don’t worry, we’re all about being eco-friendly and gentle on the marine environment
What you can actually see!
Booking
Full Itinerary
So you wanna know what happens on the day? Here’s the lowdown.
Check-In – Chinderah, NSW
Check-In – Chinderah, NSW, head to 139–151 Chinderah Bay Drive and meet your skipper and the crew, we’ll get you settled in with wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins.
Safety Briefing & River Cruise
Ocean Crossing to the Cook Island
Guided Snorkel Experience
Guided Snorkel Experience, our snorkel guide is a pro and will make sure you’re all set with your gear and know what to do. Then it’s time to slip into the water and see some turtles in their natural habitat, rays, reef fish and all sorts of other creatures are just waiting to be spotted
Return Cruise
Return Cruise, when you’re all done snorkelling, just relax on the way back and take in the views. Share some stories about your day and before you know it, you’ll be back at the dock.
- 100% turtle sighting guarantee, no corners cut while we’re out on the water
- You’re in good hands with a qualified skipper and pro crew who know the waters like the back of their hand
- Plus a guided snorkel with one of our seasoned marine guides who’ll make sure you get the most out of your time in the water
- Don’t worry about gear, we’ve got you covered with masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits all readily available
- We’ll also provide reef-safe sunscreen to keep you protected
- For an extra layer of security, flotation devices are on hand, and we’ll give you a full snorkel safety briefing and instruction if you need it
- You’ll also get expert marine commentary to help you make the most of your time out on the water
- And don’t worry if something goes wrong, we’ve got oxygen, a defibrillator and a full first aid kit on board, all according to AMSA regulations
- Ever wanted to charter the whole boat to yourself? We can do that
- Feel free to bring your own GoPro or camera to capture the view from a different angle
- We can even give you some insider tips on great cafe’s and restaurants in the area
- A towel to dry off with
- A refillable water bottle
- A pair of sunglasses and a hat to keep you protected from the sun
- A jumper or light jacket (depending on the weather)
- A poncho if it decides to rain
- Any seasickness tablets you might need
- Your own GoPro or waterproof camera to get some snaps
- You will need to be able to swim unassisted to take part in this tour
- Unfortunately, we’re not the best fit for pregnant guests or people with serious back injuries
- If you’re planning to bring along a little nipper under 18, they’ll need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- And if you’ve got asthma, just make sure you bring your inhaler and let us know ahead of time
- Previous snorkelling experience is absolutely not required, we’ll teach you the ropes
- Just a heads up, our tour times are subject to change, depending on the weather and the tides
- Parking, there’s street parking on Chinderah Bay Drive, just steer clear of the Cubby Bakehouse or Chinderah Pub car parks
We do need you to have a reasonable level of mobility and a bit of confidence in the open water, and if you need to use a flotation device, that’s okay, but you’ll still need to swim unassisted
Our crew are all trained in first aid, CPR and advanced resus so you can rest easy
We really want to make sure everyone feels welcome and included, so if you’ve got any concerns or questions just give us a shout
Sorry, no meals are included in this tour, but there are some great cafes just up the road.
- If you need to cancel within our notice period we’ll give you a full refund.
- If the weather gets really bad we might have to reschedule.
- And if you don’t spot any turtles from the boat, no worries, you can come back for free.
- Your adventure takes place on our custom 32ft commercial safari-style RIB, a real beast of a boat
- It’s got room for just 12 guests, which keeps it nice and intimate
- The seating’s all jockey-style and waterproof storage is a definite plus
- We’ve got twin 250HP Suzuki engines, very low on emissions, very high on power
- And did we mention it’s designed for offshore adventures?
We’re dead set on protecting the marine ecosystem of the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve
- So you’ll get reef-safe sunscreen to keep you and the reef safe
- We use biodegradable cleaning products and do our best to reduce single-use plastics
- And we’re super strict about no-touch, no-take wildlife policies
- Our engines are super fuel-efficient, and we compost as much as we can
- Our uniforms are recycled and fair-trade, and we’ve even got a recycled wetsuit program
We reckon marine encounters should inspire people to care about the ocean
FAQ
Do I need snorkelling experience?
No way, we welcome beginners and give them a full run down of how to do it safely.
If I don't see any turtles?
Don’t worry, we guarantee a 100% turtle sighting from the boat, or you can come back for free.
Can I bring the kids?
Yes, but they have to be 6 years old or over and able to swim confidently.
What marine life can I expect to see?
Sea turtles, rays, reef fish, crustaceans, dolphins, and all sorts of seasonal wildlife.